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The Book of Whispers

The Book of Whispers

Kimberley Starr

  • awardWinner, Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing, 2015
  • Tuscany, 1096 AD. Luca, young heir to the title of Conte de Falconi, sees demons. Since no one else can see them, Luca must keep quiet about what he sees, or risk another exorcism by the nefarious priest Ramberti.

    Luca also has dreams—dreams that sometimes predict the future. Night after night Luca sees his father murdered, and vows to stop it coming true. Even if he has to go against his father’s wishes and follow him on the great pilgrimage to capture the Holy Lands.

    Far away in Cappadocia, Suzan has dreams too. Consigned with her mute mother to a life in an underground convent, she has a vision of a brown-haired boy riding through the desert. A boy with an ancient book that holds some inscrutable power. A boy who will take her on an adventure that will lead to places beyond both their understanding.

    Together, Luca and Suzan will realise their true quest: to defeat the forces of man and demon that wish to destroy the world.

    Read an extract from this epic mediaeval adventure on the Text blog.
    Writing and researching mediaeval fantasy (and demons): interview with the 2015 Text Prize winner

    Kimberley Starr
    About the Author

    Kimberley Starr is a teacher and author based in Melbourne. Her debut novel, The Kingdom Where Nobody Dies, won the 2003 Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Best Emerging Author. She has a degree in mediaeval literature, and travelled through Turkey and Israel to research The Book of Whispers.

    Read Moreright
    Extent:
    400pp
    Format:
    Paperback
    Text publication date:
    3 October 2016
    ISBN:
    9781925355512
    AU Price:
    $19.99
    NZ Price:
    $26.00
    Themes:
    friendship, history, courage, love, religion
    Reading age:
    14+
    Australian
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    Praise for Kimberley Starr
    andThe Book of Whispers

    ‘A stunning mix of high action, enthralling history and mesmerising magic.’

    The Book of Whispers combines history, fantasy, romance and the brutality of the Middle Ages in a satisfyingly epic novel.’

    The Book of Whispers is fast paced and bloody in parts, not shying away from the brutality of the period and the atrocities committed during the Crusades; but it also shrewdly challenges the reader to think about religion, extremism and tolerance - particularly in relation to a region where those topics have particular significance.’

    ‘One of my favourites of this year.’

    ‘This is a memorable book that will make the reader think about the futility of war and the ugliness of religious bigotry. At the same time the adventure and mayhem that Luca and Suzan face will carry the reader through to the thrilling end.’

    ‘This fast paced and well developed story has a little bit of everything to provide you with an interesting foray into a historical journey through time. Grief, love, chaos, adventure, magic, and the Christian crusades into Jerusalem all melded together into a beguiling and beautiful novel.’

    The Book of Whispers embraces its fantastical aspects without sacrificing the concrete, and offers an introspective glance into human nature.’

    ‘An epic novel that merges history, make-believe, romance and the harshness of the Middle Ages.’

    Other editions ofThe Book of Whispers
    • The Book of Whispers
      ebook
      ISBN: 9781922253972
      3 October 2016
      Buy ebook